TED speaker Alan Amling helps organizations navigate digital disruption and accelerate supply chain transformation.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
"Alan was a presenter for our inaugural Excellence in Distribution program. He was great to work with, had exceptional ratings from our attendees, and we’ve invited him back for next year’s EiD."
CATHERINE USHER, CMP
Member Services Director at Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn.
Dr. Alan Amling is a TED speaker and one of the most prominent voices on supply chain transformation and digital disruption. With a 27-year career at UPS, including roles as VP of Corporate Strategy and VP of Marketing for Global Logistics & Distribution, he brings both strategic depth and real-world experience to the stage. Today, he combines academic research, executive leadership, and advisory work to help organizations understand the changing dynamics of global commerce and how to move faster, smarter, and more effectively in an increasingly digital world.
Dr. Alan Amling is widely recognized for his expertise in supply chain transformation and the accelerating impact of digital disruption. As a TED speaker and trusted advisor, he helps organizations decode complex shifts in global commerce and translate them into clear strategic action. His insights have been featured in major publications including Fortune, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, reflecting the relevance and urgency of his perspective.
Named one of the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Digital Disruption in both 2022 and 2025, and recognized as a “Top Executive Management Voice” by LinkedIn in 2024, Alan brings a rare combination of credibility, clarity, and forward-thinking insight to every keynote.
Alan Amling’s career journey is a story of deep operational understanding combined with strategic leadership. He began his career at UPS loading packages and washing vehicles while in college. Over the course of 27 years, he advanced through the organization into senior leadership roles, gaining hands-on experience across operations, logistics, marketing, and corporate strategy.
As VP of Corporate Strategy, he played a key role in revitalizing UPS’s innovation and venture capital initiatives, helping position the company for the demands of the digital economy. Prior to that, he served as VP of Marketing for UPS Global Logistics & Distribution, where he contributed to strengthening the company’s global market presence.
This progression—from the front lines to the executive level, gives Alan a grounded, practical perspective that resonates with both leadership teams and operational audiences.
In his 2022 book Organizational Velocity, Alan Amling explores how companies can adapt to a world defined by rapid change, technological advancement, and shifting customer expectations. His work focuses on how organizations can increase speed without losing direction, aligning strategy, execution, and innovation.
His keynote presentations expand on these ideas, offering audiences a framework for understanding how to:
Alan’s approach is both strategic and actionable, making complex concepts accessible and relevant for leaders across industries.
In addition to his corporate career, Alan is deeply engaged in academia and advisory work. He teaches and conducts research in the #1 rated Master of Supply Chain program at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, where he contributes to shaping the next generation of supply chain leaders.
He is also the CEO of Thrive and Advance, LLC, an advisory firm focused on helping organizations navigate transformation and growth. Beyond this, Alan serves as an advisor to several supply chain startups and is involved with the NextGen Supply Chain Conference, keeping him closely connected to emerging trends and innovations.
When you book Alan Amling, you bring in a speaker who combines academic rigor, executive experience, and forward-looking insight. His presentations are tailored to help organizations understand where the world of commerce is heading and how to position themselves to succeed within it.
Whether addressing senior executives, supply chain professionals, or cross-functional teams, Alan delivers clear, engaging, and thought-provoking keynotes that inspire action. He equips audiences with the tools and mindset needed to navigate uncertainty, embrace change, and build momentum in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Dr. Alan Amling’s academic background further strengthens his authority in the field. He holds a Ph.D. in Management from Kennesaw State University, an MBA from Indiana University, and a BA in Business and Psychology from Lewis & Clark College.
This combination of academic achievement and extensive industry experience allows him to bridge theory and practice, offering insights that are both intellectually grounded and immediately applicable.
5 of 5
"Alan was a presenter for our inaugural Excellence in Distribution program. He was great to work with, had exceptional ratings from our attendees, and we’ve invited him back for next year’s EiD."
CATHERINE USHER, CMP Member Services Director at Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Assn.
5 of 5
"The combination of Alan’s extensive industry experience and academic credentials enable him to deliver clear and actionable insights as a public speaker and panelist."
DAVID SHILLINGFORD Venture Partner, Columbia Capital and CoFounder, Everstream Analytics
5 of 5
"Alan is a highly knowledgeable and energetic speaker on the topic of manufacturing supply chain dynamics which are being shaped by emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing and more broadly digital engineering."
ISRAR KABIR Product Development Manager, Manufacturing at ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
5 of 5
"As the former editor of Supply Chain Management Review, I had the pleasure of working with Alan on a number of articles over the years. As an author, he brings his real-world experience as a supply chain executive as well as his analytical eye as an academic in every article he writes. He is always… Read more"
ROBERT TREBILCOCK Magazine Editor - Peerless Media
5 of 5
"What I most like about Alan is his ability to think big picture and into the future. He’s also not boring, which is no easy feat when we talk about technology, supply chain and complex topics"
JACQUELINE SUAREZ Leading integrated communications in the Americas and globally for 16 yrs
5 of 5
"Alan’s ability to connect, engage, and excite the audience is powerful and should not be undervalued when looking for an innovation presenter. I would highly recommend Alan to communicate his experience and his vision to an audience that is looking for ways to see how innovation really is a great way to keep moving the needle in the upward direction on business development."
RALPH HENDERSON President, OmniChannel Productions
Keynote by Alan Amling:
A Dynamic Keynote for Today's Volatile Business Landscape
When uncertainty becomes the only certainty, leaders need more than survival strategies—they need frameworks for thriving. Dr. Alan Amling delivers an electrifying keynote that transforms how executives think about competition, disruption, and sustainable advantage in today's volatile marketplace.
Why This Talk Hits Different
This isn't another change management presentation. It's a tactical playbook for leaders facing the perfect storm of global uncertainty, digital disruption, and elevated customer expectations. From geopolitical tensions to AI transformation, from supply chain volatility to workforce challenges—this keynote addresses the real issues keeping executives awake at night.
The Winning Formula: Mindset + Organization + People
Winning Mindset: Move from defensive thinking to offensive strategy. Learn why "the best defense against disruption is a relentless offense" and how to spot opportunities while competitors see only threats.
Winning Organization: Build systems that thrive on uncertainty rather than crumble under pressure. Discover how to eliminate hidden friction, push decisions to the lowest practical level, and create optionality-based advantages that competitors can't replicate.
Winning People: Transform your workforce from risk-averse followers to confident innovators. Master the shift from "Chess Master to Gardener" leadership that unlocks organizational velocity and employee engagement.
Battle-Tested Frameworks
Real-World Impact
Audiences walk away with five immediately actionable leadership takeaways and specific diagnostic tools to assess their organization's readiness for uncertainty. No theoretical fluff—just proven strategies from someone who's navigated Fortune 500 boardrooms and academic research labs.
Perfect For
The Promise: Your audience won't just learn to survive uncertainty—they'll discover how to weaponize it for competitive advantage.
"The pace of organizational velocity is primarily a choice, not a circumstance." - This core insight transforms how leaders approach every challenge they face.
Keynote by Alan Amling:
A Strategic Roadmap for Supply Chain Leaders in an Era of Disruption
The global supply chain playbook is being rewritten in real time. From trade policy whiplash to AI transformation, from environmental mandates to workforce shortages, supply chain leaders face a perfect storm of disruption that demands new strategies. Dr. Alan Amling delivers a comprehensive yet actionable keynote that transforms how executives think about network design, technology adoption, and competitive positioning in this new landscape.
The Forces Reshaping Global Commerce
Economic Policy Revolution: Understand the intended and unintended consequences of America's shift toward industrial policy, tariff uncertainty, and the structural changes driving reshoring initiatives. Learn why traditional global optimization models are failing and what replaces them.
The AI Promise and Peril: Cut through the hype to understand where AI, automation, and robotics deliver real value versus where they create new vulnerabilities. Discover the critical difference between pilot programs and scalable solutions that transform operations.
Climate Reality Meets Business Pragmatism: Navigate the growing tension between environmental sustainability mandates and immediate business pressures, especially as U.S. policy pulls back while global expectations intensify.
Network Transformation in Action
From Efficiency to Resilience: Learn how successful companies are redesigning networks for optionality rather than optimization, building "plus-one" supplier strategies, and creating flexible capacity models that can pivot in under 48 hours.
The Workforce Challenge: Address the critical skills gap threatening reshoring initiatives, from advanced manufacturing capabilities to supply chain leadership competencies. Understand why workforce strategy must be integrated into capital strategy from day one.
Technology That Actually Works: Move beyond digital transformation buzzwords to understand which technologies are crossing the pilot chasm and delivering measurable ROI—from digital twins to autonomous mobile robots to predictive analytics.
Immediate Action Framework
Walk away with specific, implementable strategies including:
Why This Keynote Resonates Now
This presentation addresses the most pressing challenge facing supply chain executives: how to build resilient, future-ready networks while managing immediate operational pressures. It combines macro-economic insights with tactical implementation guidance that leaders can use immediately.
Speaker Expertise
Dr. Alan Amling brings unique perspective as both CEO of Thrive and Advance, LLC, and Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Tennessee Supply Chain Institute. His research on reshoring workforce challenges and executive advisory work provides rare insight into both strategic and operational realities facing today's supply chain leaders.
Perfect For
The Bottom Line: This isn't another presentation about supply chain disruption—it's a strategic playbook for leaders who need to build tomorrow's networks while running today's operations.
"The next 18 months will separate operators from spectators." - The defining challenge for every supply chain leader navigating this new world order.
Keynote by Alan Amling:
An Update of the Visionary 2015 TED Talk That Reimagines Manufacturing and Transportation
What happens when the impossible becomes inevitable? Dr. Alan Amling delivers a captivating TED talk that challenges everything we think we know about how things get made and moved. Drawing from 23 years in supply chain innovation, he reveals why we're on the brink of the most fundamental shift in manufacturing and transportation since the Internet transformed commerce.
The Paradigm Shift: From Density-Dependent to Density-Free
The Old Rules Are Breaking: For centuries, manufacturing and logistics have operated on the "density rule"—the more you make or move together, the cheaper it gets. But what happens when that fundamental assumption no longer applies?
The On-Demand Reality: Today's consumers don't want generic products that are "close to what they want"—they want exactly what they want, when they want it, at a price they can afford. This collision between rising expectations and old-school systems is creating unprecedented opportunity for innovation.
Manufacturing Revolution: New materials, new processes, new technologies, and an unwinding of global manufacturing networks have converged, challenging even the most advanced organizations. In this chaos lie the seeds of opportunity for leaders with the grit to step out of their comfort zones and forge a new path.
Transportation Transformed
Beyond Traditional Logistics: While logistics networks were built on consolidating millions of packages through massive hub-and-spoke systems, emerging technologies are rewriting the rules:
Real-World Impact Story
Picture this scenario: It's 9 AM and you need an MRI at 4 PM, but the machine breaks down. In today's world, critical parts sit in warehouses globally "just in case." In the density-free future, that part gets 3D printed locally in hoursThe Sustainability Imperative
Why This Vision Matters Now
This isn't just futuristic speculation—it's about preparing for inevitable consumer expectation evolution. Just as eCommerce transformed retail despite starting as a tiny fraction of sales, density-free manufacturing and transportation will reshape entire industries for companies bold enough to embrace the change.
Speaker Authority
Dr. Alan Amling brings unique credibility as CEO of Thrive and Advance, LLC, and Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Tennessee Supply Chain Institute. His 23-year career spans the evolution from traditional logistics to cutting-edge innovation, providing rare insight into both current realities and future possibilities.
Perfect For
The Bottom Line: This updated TED talk doesn't just predict the future—it provides a roadmap for leaders ready to capitalize on the most significant shift in how things get made and moved since the Industrial Revolution.
"When rules change, what was thought to be impossible becomes possible. This is when pigs really do fly. My advice: don't be the only naysayer on the ground when everyone else takes flight."
Alan Amling keynote:
An Interactive Experience That Transforms How Organizations Move at the Speed of Change
In an era where corporate lifespans have plummeted from 61 years to under 20, speed isn't just an advantage, it's survival. Dr. Alan Amling's high-energy workshop transforms the abstract concept of "organizational velocity" into concrete strategies that participants can implement immediately. This isn't another theoretical session; it's a tactical bootcamp for leaders who need to turbocharge their organizations to stay ahead of the curve.
The Reality Check: Why Speed Matters Now
The Extinction Crisis: 75% of current S&P 500 companies are projected to disappear by 2027. In construction and distribution, survival rates drop to 40% within a decade. The question isn't whether change will come, it's whether your organization can move fast enough to thrive in it.
The Expectation Revolution: Today's customers don't just want better, they expect the "last best experience they had anywhere" to become the minimum standard everywhere. Organizations that can't match this velocity of expectation will be left behind.
Uncertainty as Opportunity: Global economic uncertainty has reached historic highs, but smart leaders recognize that uncertainty isn't the enemy, it's the environment where competitive advantages are won and lost.
The Workshop Experience: From Insight to Action
Interactive Breakout #1 - What Does Winning Look Like? Participants define success for both their biggest threat and greatest opportunity, creating SMART goals that can be explained and executed. This isn't visioning—it's tactical goal-setting that drives Monday morning action.
The OODA Loop Mastery: Learn the military-grade decision-making framework that enables rapid response: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. Discover why "the greatest source of your future success is the data that hasn't been created yet" and how to create it.
Interactive Breakout #2 - Creating New Value: Teams identify specific options they can create in their business—from supplier diversification to employee upskilling to new technology adoption. Walk away with a menu of pivot possibilities tailored to your industry.
Core Frameworks That Drive Results
From Competitive Moats to Persistent Advantage: Traditional competitive advantages are obsolete. Learn how to build optionality-based advantages that competitors can't replicate, turning uncertainty from threat into weapon.
Organizational Friction Elimination: Identify and eliminate both obvious and hidden sources of friction—from conflicting goals to spending authority bottlenecks that slow decision-making.
Chess Master to Gardener Leadership: Transform from controlling every move to nurturing an environment where rapid adaptation thrives. Master the shift from "knowing all the answers" to "asking the right questions."
The Trust Foundation Reality Check
Most organizations think they have trust—most are wrong. Discover diagnostic tools to assess your team's real trust level and practical steps to build the psychological safety necessary for organizational velocity.
Why This Workshop Format Works
Unlike traditional keynotes, this workshop combines strategic insights with hands-on application. Participants don't just hear about organizational velocity—they practice it through structured breakouts, peer collaboration, and personalized action planning.
Perfect For
The Promise: Participants leave with specific, actionable strategies they can implement Monday morning, plus diagnostic tools to continuously improve their organization's velocity.
"Moving at the speed of change is a choice, not a circumstance." - The core insight that transforms how leaders approach every challenge their organizations face.
Watch Alan Amling in action
